Drop-out structure for wheel alignment

ABSTRACT

A bicycle frame structure that is manufactured by forming left and right panels and then bonding them in a pipe in/are configured to include a first fixing member fixed to the rear end portion of a chain stay and a hanger coupled to the first fixing member, being configured for rotating around a hinge pin, and having an axle slit formed in a predetermined direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.10-2016-0136736 filed on Oct. 20, 2016, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Various embodiments of the present invention relates to a drop-outstructure for wheel alignment for manufacturing a bicycle frame bystamping and bonding left and right panels and then mounting a wheel onthe frame.

Description of Related Art

Existing bicycle frames are composed of a head tube, a seat tube, a toptube, a down tube, a seat stay, and a chain stay.

That is, a steering handle assembly is coupled to the upper end of thehead tube, a front wheel-rotary connector is coupled to the lower end ofthe head tube, a seat connector is coupled to the upper end of the seattube, and a chain actuator is coupled to the lower end of the seat tube.

The top tube and the down tube connect and support the head tube and theseat tube, and the seat stay and the chain stay connect and support arear wheel-rotary connector and the seat tube.

On the other hand, the bicycle frame may be equipped with both of thetop tube and the down tube, but in some cases, one main tube (not shown)may be connected between the head tube and the seat tube.

The existing bicycle frame are manufactured by making a top tube, a downtube, and a seat tube from a tube, which is a basic material, and thenwelding them, but this process is difficult to automate, so workabilityis low and the manufacturing cost may be increased.

Accordingly, a study for improving workability and durability byperforming hot stamping on a bicycle frame and then bonding them to theleft and right has recently been conducted.

However, it is difficult to make a tube-shaped frame by hot-stampingleft and right panels and bonding them and to precisely align a rearwheel in consideration of welding deformation. Accordingly, a study formanufacturing a structure that can precisely adjust wheel alignment on ahot-stamped frame has been conducted.

In particular, when the left and right stays are twisted and wheelalignment is changed, a loss of power increases and, eccentric wear of atire increases and load is eccentrically concentrated, so the frame maybe broken by accumulation of fatigue.

The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section isonly for enhancement of understanding of the general background of theinvention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form ofsuggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to aperson skilled in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to providing adrop-out structure for wheel alignment that can reduce a loss of powerby easily and precisely adjusting wheel alignment even if left and rightstays are twisted with respect to each other in a stamping framestructure, reduce eccentric wear of a tire, and reduce damage to framedue to accumulation of eccentric fatigue.

A bicycle frame structure that is manufactured by forming left and rightpanels and then bonding them in a pipe may include a first fixing memberfixed to the rear end portion of a chain stay and a hanger coupled tothe first fixing member, being capable of rotating around a hinge pin,and having an axle slit formed in a predetermined direction.

The first fixing member and the hanger may be hinged by the hinge pin sothat the first drop-out rotates about a vertical axis (about a z axis)about the first fixing member.

The first fixing member and the hanger may be hinged by the hinge pin sothat the first drop-out rotates about a horizontal direction (about an xaxis) about the first fixing member.

The chain stay may include left and right chain stays disposed with agap at left and right sides and the first fixing member and the hangermay be coupled to only one of the left and right chain stays.

The chain stay may include left and right chain stays disposed with agap at left and right sides and the first fixing member and the hangermay be coupled to both of the left and right chain stays.

The structure may include a second fixing member fixed to the other oneof the left and right chain stays and having an axle slit different fromthe axle slit.

A bicycle frame structure that is manufactured by forming left and rightpanels and then bonding them in a pipe may include: a first fixingmember fixed to the rear end portion of a chain stay; a first drop-outcoupled to the first fixing member and being capable of rotating arounda first hinge pin; and a second drop-out coupled to the first drop-out,being capable of rotating around a second hinge pin, and having an axleslit formed in a predetermined direction.

The first fixing member and the first drop-out may be hinged by thefirst hinge pin so that the first drop-out rotates about a vertical axis(about a z axis) about the first fixing member.

The second drop-out and the first drop-out may be hinged by the secondhinge pin so that the second drop-out rotates about a horizontal axis(about an x axis) about the first drop-out.

The chain stays may be disposed at left and right side with a gaptherebetween and the first fixing member and the first and secondhangers may be coupled to only one of the left and right chain stays.

The chain stays may be disposed at left and right side with a gaptherebetween and the first fixing member and the first and secondhangers may be coupled to both of the left and right chain stays.

The structure may include a second fixing member fixed to the other oneof the left and right chain stays and having an axle slit different fromthe axle slit.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention forachieving the objects, wheel alignment can be easily and preciselyadjusted by the fixing members fixed to the rear end portions of thestays and the hangers hinged to the fixing members by hinge pins andhaving an axle slit.

In particular, even if the left and right stays are twisted, it ispossible to easily maintain the wheel alignment by keeping the rotatablehangers hinged by the hinge pins at a predetermined angle.

Therefore, it is possible to reduce a loss of power to be transmitted toa wheel, reduce eccentric wear of a tire, and reduce damage to a framedue to accumulation of eccentric fatigue.

The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other featuresand advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in moredetail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, andthe following Detailed Description, which together serve to explaincertain principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structurerelated to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structureaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is partially detailed plan view, rear view, and side view of thebicycle frame structure according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structureaccording to a modified exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarilyto scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variousfeatures illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. Thespecific design features of the present invention as disclosed herein,including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations,and shapes will be determined in part by the particular intendedapplication and use environment.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent partsof the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of thepresent invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) willbe described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will beunderstood that the present description is not intended to limit theinvention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, theinvention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplaryembodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalentsand other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The sizes and thicknesses of the configurations shown in the drawingsare provided selectively for the convenience of description, such thatthe present invention is not limited to those shown in the drawings andthe thicknesses are exaggerated to make some parts and regions clear.

The unrelated parts to the description of the exemplary embodiments arenot shown to make the description clear and like reference numeralsdesignate like elements throughout the specification.

Using the terms of the first and the second etc. is for discriminatingthe components having the same name and they are not limited to theorder.

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structurerelated to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, in a bicycle frame structure, a stay includes aleft seat stay 100 a, a left chain stay 110 a, a right seat stay 100 b,and a right chain stay 110 b, in which a left fixing member 120 a isfixed to the left stays 100 a and 110 a.

An axle slit 130 that is open downward is formed at the lower portion ofthe rear end portion of the left fixing member 120 a. The axle slit 130is a space for receiving the axle of a rear wheel.

Further, a right fixing member 120 b is fixed to the rear end portionsof the right stays 100 b and 110 b, and a guide 132 is fixed to a sideof the right fixing member 120 b and a hanger 134 is fixed to theopposite side of the guide 132.

The guide 132 moves forward and backward on the right fixing member 120b and an axle slit 130 that is open downward is formed at the hanger134. The axle slit 130 formed in the hanger 134 can be adjusted inheight to fit to the shape of the hanger 134, so more precise wheelalignment is possible.

There is a need for specific work for tightening or loosening fastenersto adjust the guide 132 and it is required to replace the hanger 134 toadjust the height of the axle slit of the hanger 134.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bicycle frame structure according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, in a bicycle frame structure, a stay includes aleft seat stay 100 a, a left chain stay 110 a, a right seat stay 100 b,and a right chain stay 110 b, in which a left fixing member 120 a and aright fixing member 120 b are fixed respectively to the left stays 100 aand 110 a and the right stays 100 b and 110 b.

A hanger 134 is coupled to the left fixing member 120 a fixed to theleft stays 100 a and 110 a and can rotate about a hinge pin 200. Thehinge pin 200 can rotate about the z axis (in the vertical direction),the hanger 134 coupled to the left fixing member 120 a can rotate aroundthe hinge pin 200 about the z axis, and an axle slit for receiving aleft axle of a rear wheel is formed at the lower portion of the hanger.

Further, a hanger 134 a is coupled to the right fixing member 120 bfixed to the right stays 100 b and 11 b and can rotate about the hingepin 200. The hinge pin 200 can rotate about the z axis (the verticaldirection), the hanger 134 coupled to the right fixing member 120 b canrotate around the hinge pin 200 about the z axis, and an axle slit forreceiving a right axle of the rear wheel is formed at the lower portionof the hanger.

FIG. 3 is partially detailed plan view, rear view, and side view of thebicycle frame structure according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hangers 134 that can rotate about the hinge pin200 are respectively coupled to the left fixing member 120 a fixed tothe left stays 100 a and 110 a and to the right fixing member fixed tothe right stays 100 b and 110 b, and a hub axle is inserted in the axleslit 130 of the hanger 134.

Further, configurations known in the art are referred for a componentfor fixing the hangers 134 and the hub 300 (referred to as a “quickrelease”) and the component is not described herein.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the left fixing member 120 a and the right fixingmember 120 b are fixed to the left stays 100 a and 110 a and the rightstays 100 b and 110 b, respectively, in the bicycle frame structure.

A hanger 134 is coupled to the left fixing member 120 a fixed to theleft stays 100 a and 110 a and can rotate about a hinge pin 200. Thehinge pin 200 can rotate about the x axis (about the horizontaldirection) and an axle slit 130 for receiving the left axle of the rearwheel is formed at the lower portion of the hanger 134 on the leftfixing member 120 a.

Further, a hanger 134 is coupled to the right fixing member 120 b fixedto the right stays 100 b and 110 b and can rotate about the hinge pin200. The hinge pin 200 can rotate about the x axis (about the horizontaldirection) and an axle slit 130 for receiving the right axle of the rearwheel is formed at the lower portion of the hanger 134 on the rightfixing member 120 b.

Further, an axle of a hub is inserted and fixed by a fixing device inthe axle slits 130 of the hangers 134 disposed at the left and rightsides.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structureaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a left fixing member 120 a is disposed at the rearend portions of left stays 100 a and 110 a including a left seat stay100 a and a left chain stay 110 a.

A first drop-out 134 a is coupled to the left fixing member 120 a forthe left stays 100 a and 110 a and can rotate about the x axis around afirst hinge pin 200 a and a second drop-out 134 b is coupled to thefirst drop-out 134 a and can rotate about the z axis around a secondhinge pin 200 b. An axle slit 130 for receiving an axle is formed at thelower portion of the second drop-out 134 b.

Accordingly, the second drop-out 134 b coupled to the first drop-out 134a coupled to the left fixing member 120 a can rotate within apredetermined range of angle about the x axis and z axis.

Further, the first drop-out 134 a is coupled to the right fixing member120 b for the right stays 100 b and 110 b and can rotate about the xaxis around a first hinge pin 200 a and a second drop-out 134 b iscoupled to the first drop-out 134 a and can rotate about the z axisaround a second hinge pin 200 b. An axle slit 130 for receiving an axleis formed at the lower portion of the second drop-out 134 b.

Accordingly, the second drop-out 134 b coupled to the first drop-out 134a coupled to the right fixing member 120 b can rotate within apredetermined range of angle about the x axis and z axis.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, although the firstand second hangers 134 a and 134 b are coupled to the left stays 100 aand 110 a and the right stays 100 b and 110 b, respectively, the firstand second hangers 134 a and 134 b may be coupled to only one of theleft stays 100 a and 110 a and the right stays 100 b and 110 b and theother one may have the axle slit 130 in the fixing member without ahanger.

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a bicycle frame structureaccording to a modified exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a left fixing member 120 a having an axle lit 130at the lower portion is fixed to left stays 100 a and 110 a, a rightfixing member 120 b is fixed to right stays 100 b and 110 b, a firstdrop-out 134 a is coupled to the right fixing member 120 b and canrotate about x axis around a hinge pin 200, and an axle slit 130 forreceiving an axle is formed at the lower portion of the first drop-out134 a.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one of the leftfixing member 120 a and the right fixing member 120 b may be referred toas a first fixing member and the other one may be referred to as asecond fixing member.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appendedclaims, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “up”, “down”,“upper”, “lower”, “upwards”, “downwards”, “front”, “rear”, “back”,“inside”, “outside”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “interior”, “exterior”,“inner”, “outer”, “forwards”, and “backwards” are used to describefeatures of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions ofsuch features as displayed in the figures.

The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in orderto explain certain principles of the invention and their practicalapplication, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make andutilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as wellas various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended thatthe scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto andtheir equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drop-out structure for wheel alignment,comprising: a first drop out coupled to a first fixing member fixed to arear end portion of a chain stay, being configured for rotating around ahinge pin, and having an axle slit; and a hub disposed at a center of awheel and having an axle fitted in the axle slit.
 2. The structure ofclaim 1, wherein the first fixing member and a hanger are hinged by thehinge pin wherein the first drop-out rotates about a vertical axisaround the first fixing member.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein thefirst fixing member and a hanger are hinged by the hinge pin wherein thefirst drop-out rotates about a horizontal direction around the firstfixing member.
 4. The structure of claim 1, wherein the chain stayincludes left and right chain stays disposed with a gap at predeterminedsides, and the first fixing member and the first drop-out are coupled toonly one of the left and right chain stays.
 5. The structure of claim 1,wherein the chain stay includes left and right chain stays disposed witha gap at predetermined sides, and the first fixing member and the firstdrop-out are coupled to both of the left and right chain stays.
 6. Thestructure of claim 4, including a second drop-out fixed to another oneof the left and right chain stays and having an axle slit different fromthe axle slit.
 7. A drop-out structure for wheel alignment, comprising:a first drop-out coupled to a first fixing member fixed to a rear endportion of a chain stay and being configured for rotating around a firsthinge pin; and a second drop-out coupled to the first drop-out, beingconfigured for rotating around a second hinge pin, and having an axleslit formed in a predetermined direction.
 8. The structure of claim 7,wherein the first fixing member and the first drop-out are hinged by thefirst hinge pin wherein the first drop-out rotates about a vertical axisaround the first fixing member.
 9. The structure of claim 7, wherein thesecond drop-out and the first drop-out are hinged by the second hingepin wherein the second drop-out rotates about a horizontal axis aroundthe first drop-out.
 10. The structure of claim 7, wherein the chainstays are disposed with a gap at predetermined sides, and the firstfixing member and the first and second hangers are coupled to only oneof the left and right chain stays.
 11. The structure of claim 7, whereinthe chain stays are disposed with a gap at predetermined sides, and thefirst fixing member and the first and second hangers are coupled to bothof the left and right chain stays.
 12. The structure of claim 10,including a second fixing member fixed to another one of the left andright chain stays and having an axle slit different from the axle slit.